3-day trip to climb Cerro Solo (2121m), a classic mountaineering ascent in El Chalten, South Patagonia, a challenging objective but without technical difficulties.

Description

The objective of this trip is to climb Cerro Solo (2121m.), which is a classic mountaineering ascent in El Chalten region, South Patagonia, challenging but without technical difficulties.

This Ascent is located in one of the most emblematic mountains of our area. The hill is a milestone in the landscape of Cerro Torre group which is visible from all angles. From its summit we enjoy wonderful views of the Southern Ice Field, Hielos Continentales and around the northern sector of Los Glaciares National Park.

The terrain are steep screes, some scramble and glacier slopes between 30° to 50°. This is a very scenery peak due to the mountain location.

Itinerary

Day 1

The day starts with a trek to Laguna Torre (2,5 hours walk from El Chaltén). We´ll have an early dinner in order to rest.

Day 2

Early wake up call for our summit attempt (2-3am). From Laguna Torre, we´ll get across the Fitz Roy River by a Zip line cable and start heading up to the “Cerro Solo”. The trail it´s very steep on scree and rocky terrain until we´ll reach the base of the Glacier.

We´ll continue with crampons, ice axe and rope up the glacier slope to the top. The steepest section is 50° slope. Once on the glacier, we will progress roped in, using crampons and ice axe, up to the summit (2121m). The panoramic views of Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are worth the effort! After a break and photos, we´ll start our long descent back to the our campsite.

The ascent takes about 7hs plus another 5 hs down (12 to 14 hs total)

Day 3

After a good night rest, we´ll head back to El Chaltén (2,5hs)

This region offers everything a climber could desire, from excellent quality granite to uniquely wild rime formations. All this is set in a dramatic environment, with the endless Patagonian steppe to the east and the broad expanse of the Ice Cap, an enormous network of glaciers that drops into Pacific Ocean fjords, to the west.

Join us to enjoy this beautiful mountain, from its ascent itself, to the spectacular scenery that gives us.

Contact me if you are interested. Do not miss the opportunity to be part of this trip to climb Cerro Solo!

4 seasons tent

First-aid kit

VHF Radio- GPS

Glacier equipment

Expedition food-Kitchen set & utensils

Certified Mountain Guide

Spots of interest

Cerro

Price per person

Group of 2

750USD

Price includes

Guiding fee

Accommodation

All meals during trip

Transport to the start of the trip

Group equipment

Trip reviews (2)

Lachlan W– November 10, 2015

(5)

I did an ascent of Cerro Solo and some ice climbing with Merlin in November 2015. Merlin was incredibly accommodating, as a solo traveller he was able to customise the trip for me so it included a few elements I was really keen on. I asked him a ton of questions before the trip and he called me on whatsapp to give me all the information I wanted.

Merlin’s english was excellent which made him a great conversation buddy on the trek, I even had dinner with his family when we got back to town.

The mountain ascent itself was hard work. We had a 3am start, carried 20kg backpacks, scrambled over loose scree in huge mountaineering boots and shared a tiny tent, but that’s what made it special and so rewarding when we reached the top. We were also very lucky with the weather.

One thing to be aware of, if you’re doing a technical ascent that involves ropes, crampons and ice axes like Cerro Solo, it’s mountaineering as opposed to trekking, which is excluded from all standard travel insurance policies in Australia. Having said that I trusted Merlin’s 20 odd years of experience so I felt completely safe.

Your Mountain Guide

(5)

Certified UIAGM-IFMGA Mountain Guide from Argentina. I live in El Chaltén since 1998. I'm originally from Bariloche and I started with mountain activities when I was 15 years old. I've done climbing and ascents in many mountains of Patagonia, Perú, Bolivia, United States and Europe; such as Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, Alpamayo, El Capitán, Mont Blanc and Aconcagua among others. I'm also a Ski Instructor and I am passionate for backcountry ski. I speak fluent English and Italian and have been leading trips and expeditions for more than 10 years. I work together with a group of guides, so if I'm not available for the trip you request, one of my colleagues will guide you!